How to Welcome New Families at Reception

Families come and go throughout the year. Changing schools mid-year is disruptive, difficult and downright frightening for many students. Help ease this transition by welcoming students and their families into your School Family on a school-wide “Welcome” board.

Set up a bulletin board in the entryway or other central location. As new families enter the school, invite them to provide photographs and basic information (family members’ names, where they’re moving from, and fun tidbits like favorite activities and what they’re looking forward to about their new community). Some schools accomplish this by sending home a form asking specific questions and requesting two or three family photos. Others take new photos and answer the questions on home visits. Gather their responses and showcase them on the bulletin board for at least a month after the new child’s arrival. Use the information the families provide to welcome the new students at the next school assembly.